Are pets good for you?

Researchers are looking into the ways that having pets improve our lives.

In an article in USA Today, the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction will hold a conference later this month to explore how animals benefit all age groups.

"Research in this field is providing new evidence on the positive impact pets have in our lives," said Rebecca Johnson, director of ReCHAI. "This conference will provide a unique opportunity to connect international experts working in human-animal interaction research with those already working in the health and veterinary medicine fields. A wonderful array of presentations will show how beneficial animals can be in the lives of children, families and older adults."

As we have all heard, pets help lower blood pressure and encourage exercise. They also provide, as Johnson said, "unconditional love and acceptance."

The conference is aimed at fostering more research studies to corroborate the presumption that pet ownership has health and emotional benefits.

Are you gearing up for Paws in the Park?

It's time again for Paws in the Park, to benefit the Dutchess County SPCA.

The Paws in the Park Petwalk will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bowdoin Park in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

The first Petwalk, held in 1994, raised $9000 to benefit the shelter. About 90 people participated. Since then, the yearly event has grown to include hundreds of participants and vendors and provided a lot of fun on a late summer day.

Last year, it raised almost $50,000.

Besides agility and other activities, the festival this year has a "sport" called Tail-adega Nights, a game for dogs based on sports car racing, dog agility and obedience.

Here are some stories from past blog entries about Paws in the Park.

As of today, the weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of showers. The high should be around 72.

Here's hoping it won't be as hot as in past years.

Directions to Bowdoin Park can be found here.

Dogs to show off at 'Show Off' in Fishkill

FISHKILL — Head to Doug Phillips Park on Route 52 Sunday with your pooch for the Town of Fishkill's annual Dog Show Off.

Taking place from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be demonstrations, vendors and a low-cost rabies licensing clinic.

Donations of blankets, newspapers, towels and bleach will be given to the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hyde Park.

There will also be a raffle and bake sale to raise money to improve the park.

While you are there, you can pick up information and applications for the new fee to use Friendly Paws Dog Park. The fee takes effect June 1.

Here's my story about the new fee than ran today in the Poughkeepsie Journal.